Digital Spy's most anticipated games of 2014 - part one

Between the launch of two next-generation consoles, the long-awaited release of Grand Theft Auto 5, and numerous excellent releases big and small, from The Last of Us to Gone Home, 2013 was the most exciting year for games in recent memory.

2014 has a tough act to follow, and while it probably won't reach the same levels of hype, it should see next-gen consoles truly begin to bear fruit. Until then, the first few months should give Xbox 360 and PS3 a fresh lease of life with new Final Fantasy and Dark Souls entries.

Our look ahead at 2014 will conclude tomorrow (January 1) with part two, covering releases from the middle of the year onwards.

Plants vs Zombies: Garden Warfare translates the characters - and humor - of the acclaimed tower defense series into a third-person, class-based shooter.

Launching at a discounted price point, the multiplayer shooter will ship with ten maps, three modes and eight character classes at launch - four each for plants and zombies - with more to be added free post-launch.

The third entry in the InFamous series is a PS4 exclusive, set seven years after the end of InFamous 2.

Set in Seattle, Washington, it follows the awakening of Delsin Rowe's Conduit powers, as he battles the "oppressive" Department of Unified Protection.

Metal Gear Solid 5: Ground Zeroes

Release date: March 18 (worldwide)Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PS3, PS4

The prequel to Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain is available both to purchase from retail and download digitally.

As well as setting up the story, about a rescue attempt in a Cuban prison camp, it will introduce key gameplay components of Metal Gear Solid 5, including open-world environments, night and day cycles and weather effects.

For example, specific sections of the track will pit players against their friends for the best drifting and highest speeds. It is developed by Evolution Studios, creator of the MotorStorm series.

Mario Kart 8

Release date: Spring 2014Platforms: Wii U

Mario returns in this Wii U exclusive racer, which now features all-new anti-gravity courses, allowing vehicles to race on walls and travel upside down.

Hover karts will make their debut in the series for the first time, while motorbikes - which were originally introduced in Mario Kart Wii - make their return. Expect enhanced social and online functionality too.

Originally set to launch alongside next-gen consoles in November, the open-world action game from the creators of Assassin's Creed has been voted best game of E3 by Digital Spy readers for two years running.

Aiden, a masked vigilante in near-future Chicago, is a powerful hacker that can tap into the city's security systems to evade police chases by changing traffic lights and stopping trains, and even steal money from civilian bank accounts.